12 Elusively Blue Animals: The Rarest Creatures of All
Glaucus atlanticus
A blue Glaucus atlanticus swimming through the water over sand and aquatic plants
S.Rohrlach / Getty Images
Glaucus atlanticus is a bizarre-looking species of nudibranch, and just like many other nudibranchs, it is notable for its bright coloration. The species floats upside down in the water and feeds on the dangerous Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalis), which is infamous for its venomous stingers that can kill fish and sometimes even humans. The blue color of Glaucus atlanticus serves as a form of camouflage, allowing the sea slug to blend in with the blue of the ocean and making it difficult for predators like seabirds flying over the water to spot it.
If its blue coloration wasn't protection enough, this sea slug is also able to absorb the stingers from the man o' war that it eats and use them itself either for defense or to hunt its prey.
A blue Glaucus atlanticus swimming through the water over sand and aquatic plants
S.Rohrlach / Getty Images
Glaucus atlanticus is a bizarre-looking species of nudibranch, and just like many other nudibranchs, it is notable for its bright coloration. The species floats upside down in the water and feeds on the dangerous Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalis), which is infamous for its venomous stingers that can kill fish and sometimes even humans. The blue color of Glaucus atlanticus serves as a form of camouflage, allowing the sea slug to blend in with the blue of the ocean and making it difficult for predators like seabirds flying over the water to spot it.
If its blue coloration wasn't protection enough, this sea slug is also able to absorb the stingers from the man o' war that it eats and use them itself either for defense or to hunt its prey.
Advertisements
30 August 2023
Advertisements
